Local units struggling to spend budget

PANCHTHAR, Jan 23: Budget implementation in the first six months of the current fiscal year in Panchthar is found to be very disappointing.

Every year, the government authorities fail to spend the budget appropriately, which leads to hasty work toward the end of every fiscal year. The pace of implementation of this year's budget shows that the same situation will prevail even in this year. Apart from spending budget on salaries and allowances, the local governments have not been able to increase the capital expenditure.

Halfway through the current fiscal year, development works have remained very sluggish in all eight local units of the district as people's representatives are just spending money on minor projects. Failure of representatives to bring sustainable projects and lack of creativity as well as dedication of staffers have made budget implementation challenging.

They have not been paying attention to expediting development works as they are used to working in the last minute. There are seven rural municipalities and one municipality in the district. As informed by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ghanashyam Upadhyay, Phidim Municipality has spent around 30% budget from the recurrent and capital expenditure.

"We have been mandating the consumers' committee to speed up the work. We have so many other projects for which we have not been able to sign the agreement. We are trying to make sure that no development project is conducted in rush," said Upadhyay. Among the total 260 projects listed by the municipality, only 29 have been completed so far.

Similarly, Falgunanda Rural Municipality has spent only 7% from the capital expenditure. Falelung Rural Municipality had planned to accomplish 205 projects. CAO Mausam Dhungel informed Republica that agreements for 50% of the projects have been signed so far.

Likewise, Miklajung Rural Municipality has spent 30% from the capital and recurrent expenditures while Kummayak Rural Municipality has spent only 10%. Furthermore, Hilihang Rural Municipality has also made 30% expenditure from the capital and recurrent budget. The progress is no different in other local units.

Delay in formation of consumers committee, trainings for staffers have delayed the projects further.